TWENTY ONE

After they had left the doctors, Jack and Martha headed back to their lodge where they changed into warmer clothes so they could be in the snow. Jack felt a little better about Martha being out and about more after the doctor had said their baby was okay. He hadn't been trying to lock her up for nine months, he just really wanted this baby and didn't want anything to go wrong. His feelings for that child already had taken him by surprise. They were so strong and he knew that he wasn't going to let anything happen to Martha or that baby, even if he had to die keeping them safe.

Martha took Jack's hand as they left their lodge, not even bothering to lock it. No one else was around, even though the town was only five minutes away and they could see it from one of the windows.

She kneeled down in the snow. It was beautiful. Trees surrounded them; it was just the two of them. And it was cold, meaning that she felt good.

Jack kneeled next to her. "Feel free to sit where ever you feel like it," he teased.

Martha ignored him. "It's so beautiful, Jack. So far, this has been the best time I have had... ever. We're married, on our honeymoon, having a baby. What more could we ask for?"

"I couldn't ask for anymore than you," Jack said to her. "That is good enough for me."

Martha smiled and put her hand on her stomach, where she thought her baby was. "I am so glad that she is alright. I told you she would be."

"You are determined that we are having a girl, aren't you?" Jack questioned. He wasn't going to get himself set on a girl like Martha, especially when it was still medically impossible to be able to tell yet. But if he had a little girl, it really would make him happy. A boy or a girl, it wouldn't change how he already felt about his own child. And he knew that as time went on, those feelings would just grow stronger and stronger. He was going to be the best dad that he possibly could to his baby and he would protect it with his own life.

"It's just a feeling," Martha repeated. "Call it what you like. Maternal instincts, guessing, whatever, but I know I am having a girl."

Jack moved closer to her, taking her hands. "Whether you have a girl or a boy, I will always love you and our baby and I will always be there for both of you." He kissed her.

Martha felt her heart race at his touch. This baby was sending her hormones ballistic. She had to pull away.

"I am taking you out tonight," she told him, before Jack had time to ask her what was wrong. "For your birthday." She pulled him up.

"Where to?" Jack asked.

"I saw this Thai restaurant yesterday. It looked pretty good." Martha knew Thai was Jack's favourite and when she had seen it, she had decided that she was going to take him there for his birthday. There really wasn't much of a selection back in Summer Bay, so she knew he would appreciate it.

"Martha, are you sure you will be able to handle it in there?" Jack asked. Martha was throwing up over eating food, over smelling food. He knew she hadn't thought about that, or ignored it, but he didn't want to go out to dinner if she was going to be sick. He would rather stay at home and cook himself if she wasn't up for it.

"It will be at night," Martha replied. "I should be okay. Anyway, I'm not the important one today, you are." She wrapped her arms around his body, pulling him close to her.

"Martha, if you aren't up for it, we can just stay in. I will even cook you dinner."

Martha gave Jack a horrified look. "Jack!" she exclaimed. "It is your birthday. There is not a chance in hell that I am going to let you cook dinner for me! I will be ok. We can eat outside or something, to avoid some of the smell." She gave him a kiss. "Now what do you want to do?"

OOO

After fifteen minutes of searching, Martha finally found the restaurant she had seen the day before. Unfortunately, they were unable to find them a seat for outside like Martha had hoped, so she had to cope inside with the rich smell of Thai food. When the wait staff had given them seats inside, Jack had offered to go back to their lodge, but Martha had refused. Though, sitting there now, it was making her stomach turn. She wished her ice water would hurry up. At least that would cool her body down.

Although Jack didn't think it was that hot inside, Martha had taken off layers of clothing and she appeared very flushed and her face was red. Jack couldn't even remember her eating anything since breakfast, where she had managed some tea and half a piece of toast. How had he allowed Martha to talk him into this?

"We don't have to stay here, you know," he said, resting his hand on hers. "I'd be more than happy just to spend the time alone with you, back at the lodge."

Martha shook her head, swallowing hard. "I'll be okay." She had trouble getting the words out as a wave of nausea hit her. She covered her mouth. She wasn't going to throw up. She never had this late at night. But the smell of the food was making her really close to it.

"Do you want to go?" Jack asked.

Martha shook her head again and then stood up. "Just give me a few minutes," she whispered before going outside. Jack followed her to a quieter area where only a few tables were located. There were people sitting at each of them.

Martha didn't even turn to him, she just breathed deeply, trying to get over the nausea. The cool air was making her feel better.

Jack rested his hand on her shoulder, making sure she was okay. He had known this would be a bad idea.

"I'm so sorry, Jack," Martha cried. "I've ruined everything."

Jack pulled her close to him, keeping her warm. All her layers were still in the restaurant. "Don't apologise. You have nothing to apologise for. I haven't thought for one second that you or anything has ruined today. In fact, I think it has been the best birthday I have ever had."

"But this was meant to be for you," Martha said. "And I can't even sit with you. I will be happy to wait in the car while you stay here."

Jack laughed, shaking his head. Sometimes she just didn't understand. "Martha I don't care where I am for my birthday, I just want to be with you. If you go into the car, then so will I. It's as simple as that."

Martha looked up at him and Jack kissed her.

"You have made this the best birthday ever," he told her.

"I have?" Martha seemed shocked.

"Yes, because I have been with you. If it wasn't for you... I wouldn't... I would still be confused as to my life's purpose." He thought that summed it up.

Martha pulled away from him.

"I am meant to be with you, Martha and I love you like crazy and I know that these feelings are never going to go away. They are just going to keep getting stronger and stronger each an everyday."

Martha looked at him, her eyes seemed to change. Like she was sad. "Why didn't you say that to me before?" she asked him.

"I didn't think I had to," Jack replied honestly. "I thought you knew how happy you made me, how much I loved you... how much you mean to me." He kissed her sweetly, neither of them pulling apart for a very long time. Like earlier, Martha could feel her hormones raging, but this time she let them. What was a honeymoon without feeling like that?

Jack soon realised that Martha was enjoying him being that close to her too much for public and he pulled away. Not very far, though. He smiled.

"Sorry," Martha apologised. "It's this baby. My body is... different."

Jack kissed her forehead. "I don't have a problem with it," he said. "I just don't think some of the customers would appreciate it. But, you are welcome to continue when we get back," he teased.

Martha took his hands. "That will be inevitable, I think." She smiled at him. "I feel okay now, I think I could go and give inside another go."

Jack looked at her with concern. "Are you sure?"

Martha nodded. "Yes." She kissed him again, but this time made it quick and they walked back into the restaurant together.

Thank you to those who reviewed. It was a very nice surprise. I really appreciate any review!